Author Description

Kaira Looro means “Architecture for Peace” in Mandinga, the language of one of the most important cultures in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is an international architecture competition open to students of architecture and young architects from all over the world. The goal of this initiative is to develop projects and studies focused on architecture in developing countries and on solutions to humanitarian and environmental emergencies.This book collects and presents the top projects: 1st prize, 2nd prize, 3rd prize, two honourable mentions, five mentions, and fifteen finalists evaluated by an international jury made up of Kengo Kuma (president of the jury), Agostino Ghirardelli, Azzurra Muzzonigro, Rainer Kasik, Angelo Ferrara, René Bouman, Pilar Diez Rodriguez, Camillo Magni, Toschiki Hirano, Giuseppe Mazzaglia, Sebastiano D’Urso, Ignazio Lutri, and Raoul Vecchio.The book also includes a preface by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and reflections on the potential and perspectives of architecture on the African continent, written by A. Ghirardelli, S. D’Urso, R.Bouman, G. Mazzaglia, P. D. Rodriguez and R. Vecchio. All proceeds from the competition and from the sale of this book have been donated to the Non-profit Organization Balouo Salo to support humanitarian projects in Africa.